Meeting new people, one of the first questions that is generally asked is "What is it that you do for a living?" Of course, we all have our answers. Me, I'm a writer. Not, a fun-type of writer like a novelist or something. I have zero creative writing skills. I'm a technical writer. I write the instruction manuals that you probably don't read. Most people on hearing what I do, say something along the lines of 'Oh, that sounds interesting.' And, of course, interesting usually is made to sound like 'Are you crazy?' For those who are actually interested in learning about what I do, it's a hard field to explain. I write for a product that I don't even fully understand, so how can anyone else be expected to?

The same can be said about alumnae membership in TriDelta. So many people, males and females alike, have wonderful Greek experiences in college, where Greek life is a part of campus life and a part of your culture and identity. But, after college, it seems that the lifetime membership aspect of a Greek organization can be hard to explain.

"What does your alumnae chapter do?"

 "Why do you still participate in an alumnae chapter?"

Those questions come up, and come up frequently, when I mention that I am involved with the San Jose TriDelta Alumnae Chapter. Similar to my profession, it's a hard thing to explain, and a hard thing for people not part of the experience to understand.

For me, I loved my undergraduate experience. From spending an evening trying to clean the bubbles exploding from the dishwasher when we were supposed to be having a new member meet & greet (it's a funny story, ask me about it some time!) to member retreats complete with cookie dough, I made a lot of friends and had a lot of wonderful experiences.

Involvement in the alumnae chapter has been a similar experience. From people willing to be a family away from home, giving hugs and support as needed, always willing to give airport rides (and at 4am, that's a big deal!), to go out to eat after a bad day or week at work, go shopping when you just need a break, tour guide helpers when you have friends or family visiting, and just people who care about you and want to see you once a month.

Throughout my three years as a member of the San Jose TriDelta Alumnae Chapter, I've come to know the women in the chapter as a fun-loving, supportive group who are always up for the latest Sex & the City movie (and if you haven't seen it, Jane must not be doing her job!), and dinner nights at Chili's to support St. Jude's. We've played getting to know you games and had speakers from our chapter share their areas of expertise - from insurance, to preserving photographs and creating family histories, to jewelry making.

If you are a returning member from the 2009 - 2010 year, I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming September kick-off meeting and hearing all about your summer vacation!

If you are an alumna who has not been active in the past (or even in the recent past as this is only my 4^th year here), I want to personally invite you to the September meeting and encourage you to either join us for the first time or return after a 1- or even a 10-year absence. And, I'd love to meet you and get to know you and share collegiate stories as well as discuss our current hobbies. Plus, I, for one, can't wait to hear how Cindy traveled for over three weeks with a carry on. I have issues working with just a carry on when I travel for more than 4 days!

As a further incentive, any alumna who attends the first meeting and pays her annual dues on or before the September meeting will be entered into a raffle drawing for free movie ticket vouchers.

If you can't make the September meeting, please come when you can and know that any alumna, however frequently or infrequently, is always welcome at our meetings. There are some great events on the calendar this year, and some new and exciting things to look forward too!

I hope that you had a wonderful summer and are looking forward to the upcoming fall! I hope to see you shortly.

Delta Love and Mine,

Christi Guzik

San Jose TriDelta Alumnae Chapter President, 2010 - 2012

Alpha Tau, Carnegie Mellon University, Class of 2005

      In 2006, Tri Delta made a pledge to raise $10 million in 10 years for a new patient care floor at St. Jude. This program was named 10 in 10. In the 2005-2006 year alone Tri Delta members raised over $2.5 million for a new Patient Care Floor. As the fraternity's philanthropic fundraising grew exponentially, Tri Delta created a new goal of raising the $10 million dollars in only four years.  This new pledge was named 10 by 10, as the organization would be raising $10 million dollars by 2010. On July 1st at the Philanthropy Lunch during the 54th biennial Convention, the announcement was made that Tri Delta had not only met, but had surpassed the $10 million dollar goal in less than four years.  As of July 1st, 2010, Delta Delta Delta had raised $10,643,582 since the $10 million dollar pledge was made on July 4th, 2006.

On July 31st at the St. Jude Collegiate Leadership seminar held at the hospital in Memphis, TN, Tri Delta's celebrated our success and Tri Delta announced a new goal to benefit St. Jude: $15 million in 5 years for a new specialty clinic!